[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[June 15, 1992]
[Page 937]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 937]]

Letter to Congressional Leaders on Trade With Albania

June 15, 1992
Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
    In accordance with section 407 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Public Law 
93-618, January 3, 1975; 88 Stat. 1978), as amended (the ``Trade Act''), 
I am transmitting a copy of a proclamation that extends 
nondiscriminatory treatment to the products of Albania. I also enclose 
the text of the ``Agreement on Trade Relations Between the United States 
of America and the Republic of Albania,'' including exchanges of letters 
that form an integral part of the Agreement, which was signed on May 14, 
1992, and which is included as an annex to the proclamation.
    The Agreement will provide a nondiscriminatory framework for our 
bilateral trade relations and thus strengthen both economic and 
political relations between the United States and Albania. Conclusion of 
this Agreement is an important step we can take to provide greater 
economic benefits to both countries. It will also give further impetus 
to the progress we have made in our overall diplomatic relations since 
last year and help to reinforce political and economic reform in 
Albania. In that context, the United States is encouraging Albania to 
continue to strive for a democratic, pluralistic society.
    I believe that the Agreement is consistent with both the letter and 
the spirit of the Trade Act. It provides for mutual extension of 
nondiscriminatory tariff treatment while seeking to ensure overall 
reciprocity of economic benefits. It includes safeguard arrangements to 
ensure that our trade with Albania will grow without causing disruption 
to the U.S. market and consequent injury to domestic firms or loss of 
jobs for American workers.
    The Agreement also confirms and expands for American businesses 
certain basic rights in conducting commercial transactions both within 
Albania and with Albanian nationals and business entities. Other 
provisions include those dealing with settlement of commercial disputes, 
financial transactions, and government commercial offices. Through this 
Agreement, Albania also undertakes obligations to modernize and upgrade 
very substantially its protection of intellectual property rights. Once 
fully implemented, the Albanian intellectual property regime will be on 
a par with that of our principal industrialized trading partners. This 
Agreement will not alter U.S. law or practice with respect to the 
protection of intellectual property.
    On May 20, 1992, I waived application of subsections (a) and (b) of 
section 402 of the Trade Act to Albania. I determined that this waiver 
will substantially promote the objectives of section 402, and, pursuant 
to section 402(c)(2) of the Trade Act, notified the Congress that I have 
received assurances that the emigration practices of Albania will 
henceforth lead substantially to achievement of those objectives.
    I urge that the Congress act as soon as possible to approve the 
``Agreement on Trade Relations Between the United States of America and 
the Republic of Albania'' and the proclamation extending 
nondiscriminatory treatment to products of Albania by enactment of a 
joint resolution referred to in section 151 of the Trade Act.
    Sincerely,

                                                             George Bush

                    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. 
                        Foley, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
                        and Dan Quayle, President of the Senate. The 
                        proclamation and the agreement were published in 
                        the Federal Register on June 17.